Colonialism in The Chin Hills: 
Where God prays with a Gun

Author: Kimpichong Lhouvum

Affiliation: Center for Comparative Literature, University of Hyderabad

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Abstract:​​​​

 

This paper explores the paradoxical impact of British colonialism on the Thadou and Chin communities in the Chin Hills, focusing on the simultaneous introduction and increasing prominence of firearms and Christian missionaries between the 1860s and 1910s. Drawing on primary texts like Carey and Tuck’s The Chin Hills and Mackenzie's History of the Relations of the Government with the Hill Tribes of the North-East Frontier of Bengal , the study argues that these two forces drastically altered the pre-colonial socio-cultural landscape of the Thadou and Chin people. Prior to British intervention, firearms, primarily European flintlock rifles obtained through trade, already held significant value and status within Thadou and Chin society. However, the colonial period led to more advanced firearms entering the region and British policies aimed at disarmament, which were met with strong resistance due to the deep socio-economic, cultural, and symbolic value of guns. Concurrently, Christian missionaries, particularly American Baptists, established a significant presence, introducing Western education and healthcare, translating the Bible, and profoundly changing traditional animistic beliefs. This paper reveals a complex interplay between colonial administration, firearms, and missionary efforts, demonstrating how these seemingly disparate elements contributed to both resistance and adaptation among the Thadou and Chin, leaving a lasting legacy on their identity and society today.

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Keywords: Chin Hills, Colonialism, Firearms, Christian Missionaries, Thadou​

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ISSN 3069-8200